Yes, gender affects kidney transplant outcomes, particularly for females.
Gender and Kidney Transplant: Key Considerations
Gender plays a significant role in kidney transplantation due to biological differences, especially regarding sensitization to human leukocyte antigens (HLAs).
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Sensitization: Females are more likely to develop HLA sensitization because of previous exposure during pregnancy.
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Impact on Transplant: HLA sensitization can lead to:
- Difficulty in finding compatible donors.
- Lower likelihood of receiving a kidney from a spouse.
- Challenges in matching for deceased donor transplantation.
How Sensitization Affects Transplant
HLA sensitization is a condition where the immune system develops antibodies against specific HLAs. These antibodies can cause the immune system to reject a transplanted organ if the donor's HLAs are similar to the ones the recipient is sensitized to. Since females are more prone to sensitization, this poses particular challenges in kidney transplantation.
